Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 133 began on Friday (August 14) its preliminary hearing on the P200 million civil case filed by Vice President Jejomar Binay against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, Senators Antonio Trillanes and Alan Cayetano, former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer, and eight other individuals.
In the complaint, the vice president charged the respondents with libel. Binay explained that there was an alleged effort by the accused to “blatantly and publicly malign” his name and reputation.
Aside from this, other violations of the Civil Code were also included in the complaint.
Represented by lawyers from the government, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said that the P200 million civil case filed against her by Binay should be dismissed.
Morales pointed out that Binay’s complaint is baseless, and was a mere harassment suit.
She also questioned the Makati court’s jurisdiction over the case. According to Morales, it should have been filed before the Supreme Court.
On the other hand, the vice president’s camp said that Carpio Morales should not be represented by the Office of the Ombudsman.
“It has no authority to represent the Ombudsman in her personal civil case. She should either represent herself or hire her own lawyer. She should not use the taxpayers money for personal gain,” the Office of the Vice President said in a statement.
But Assistant Ombudsman Asryman Rafanan rejected Binay camp’s argument. He said Morales is being sued in her official capacity as the ombudsman, since the vice president is accusing her of pursuing cases against him.
The court has ordered the vice president to file a comment on the ombudsman’s motion.
CNN Philippines’ AC Nicholls contributed to this report.
